Savoring the Rainbow, slow and easy

Thousands flock to Dunnellon’s spring-fed river each year to tube

In this Janue 27, 2011 file photo, tubers Sophie Bean, Becky Bostic and Christina Kaufman, left to right, make their way down the Rainbow River in a heavy rain storm at K.P. Hole County Park in Dunnellon.

Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 1:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 1:27 p.m.

With the warmer days of summer in sight, Matt Smith is already looking forward to one of his favorite warm-weather pastimes.

Facts

ACCESSING THE RAINBOWS

Rainbow River State Park Tubing EntranceAbout a two-hour float past wilderness areas and picturesque homes along the river; exit is a short walk to parking area. Open weekends through Memorial Day, open daily through Labor Day10830 SW 180th Ave. Road, Dunnellon$10.60/person, includes tube rental, tram service and tax465-8555; www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings

KP Hole County Park Tubing EntranceAbout a four-hour float from the park to the exit point just south of the CR 484 bridge over the river. Abbreviated schedule 8-11 a.m. daily until April 13, then 8 a.m.-12:45 p.m. daily.9435 SW 190th Ave., Dunnellon$10/person, includes tube rental, shuttle back to park and tax; $7 for shuttle service only. Park entrance fee is $5/person.489-3055; online information

Tubing the Rainbow River.

The 15-year-old Vanguard High sophomore gets out on the river that flows the eastern edge of Dunnellon at least twice each summer.

“It’s fun,” Smith said on a cold day in March. “It’s a great summer activity, and on the hot days it helps that the water is so cool.”

The Rainbow River head springs is one of several Magnitude One springs in Marion County, so the river tends to be a constant 72 degrees. Hypothermia is not out of the question, but usually on 90-degree-plus days the slight chill from below is just what’s needed.

But with tubing, much of the fun is what’s above the water. There’s wildlife, an ever-changing landscape and the attitude of just lazing away down the river like Huck Finn and Jim. Still, one of the region’s crystal-clear springs is right under your floating bottom, so there is as much to see underneath you as there is above the surface.

Smith is hardly alone. During the peak summer months, thousands will join him for the leisurely float down the river Rainbow River.

Yep. Thousands.

Last July, in fact, nearly 16,000 tubers set out from the Rainbow River State Park for two-hour floats. And it’s likely just as many launched from the KP Hole County Park on the western bank of the Rainbow for the four-hour jaunt to south of the County Road 484 bridge.

Tubing season gets under way this month on weekends through Memorial Day, when the launches are open every day of the week. Both parks warn tubers, however, to get there early; the gates close as soon as the parking lots fill. From then, it’s one car in for every one car out.

But Smyth warned there are some rules for tubers, regardless which side of the river they launch from.

First, county ordinances prohibit disposable food and beverage containers along on trips. If you take it into the water with you, you bring it out with you.

Also, alcohol is not allowed. Period.

Tubes can be rented on either side of the river. Or you can bring your own; however, if you bring your own, you’ll still pay the same park price.

Bring sunscreen. “There are patches along the river where there’s no shade and you can get sunburned,” Smyth said.

And Smyth warned about hypothermia; also, boats, some motorized, share the river, though they are supposed to travel at no-wake speed. Still, tubers do need to be aware of them.

And one other, sometimes dire, concern is noted on a KP Hole tubing info website: Don’t go onto private properties along the route.

“Most residents will help in time of a true emergency and will make sure the proper agencies are alerted of the situation,” the website noted. “‘Can I use your bathroom’ is not a true emergency. You may want to take care of that event before you embark on the journey.”

<p>With the warmer days of summer in sight, Matt Smith is already looking forward to one of his favorite warm-weather pastimes.</p><p>Tubing the Rainbow River.</p><p>The 15-year-old Vanguard High sophomore gets out on the river that flows the eastern edge of Dunnellon at least twice each summer.</p><p>“It's fun,” Smith said on a cold day in March. “It's a great summer activity, and on the hot days it helps that the water is so cool.”</p><p>The Rainbow River head springs is one of several Magnitude One springs in Marion County, so the river tends to be a constant 72 degrees. Hypothermia is not out of the question, but usually on 90-degree-plus days the slight chill from below is just what's needed.</p><p>But with tubing, much of the fun is what's above the water. There's wildlife, an ever-changing landscape and the attitude of just lazing away down the river like Huck Finn and Jim. Still, one of the region's crystal-clear springs is right under your floating bottom, so there is as much to see underneath you as there is above the surface.</p><p>Smith is hardly alone. During the peak summer months, thousands will join him for the leisurely float down the river Rainbow River.</p><p>Yep. Thousands.</p><p>Last July, in fact, nearly 16,000 tubers set out from the Rainbow River State Park for two-hour floats. And it's likely just as many launched from the KP Hole County Park on the western bank of the Rainbow for the four-hour jaunt to south of the County Road 484 bridge.</p><p>“It's an enjoyable day,” said Rainbow Springs Park Manager Jim Smyth. “It's a nice family thing to do.”</p><p>Tubing season gets under way this month on weekends through Memorial Day, when the launches are open every day of the week. Both parks warn tubers, however, to get there early; the gates close as soon as the parking lots fill. From then, it's one car in for every one car out.</p><p>But Smyth warned there are some rules for tubers, regardless which side of the river they launch from.</p><p>First, county ordinances prohibit disposable food and beverage containers along on trips. If you take it into the water with you, you bring it out with you.</p><p>Also, alcohol is not allowed. Period.</p><p>Tubes can be rented on either side of the river. Or you can bring your own; however, if you bring your own, you'll still pay the same park price.</p><p>Bring sunscreen. “There are patches along the river where there's no shade and you can get sunburned,” Smyth said.</p><p>And Smyth warned about hypothermia; also, boats, some motorized, share the river, though they are supposed to travel at no-wake speed. Still, tubers do need to be aware of them.</p><p>And one other, sometimes dire, concern is noted on a KP Hole tubing info website: Don't go onto private properties along the route.</p><p>“Most residents will help in time of a true emergency and will make sure the proper agencies are alerted of the situation,” the website noted. “'Can I use your bathroom' is not a true emergency. You may want to take care of that event before you embark on the journey.”</p>